Upon turning 30, I got very serious about my skincare routine. I’m all for a beat face and as a fashion and beauty editor, I love playing and wearing makeup. However, in my opinion, makeup should be worn to enhance your look, not to hide aspects of your skin that you don’t like. Good skincare starts from within and it’s essential to place things in your body (like water) to help. Your diet plays a big role in good skin.
Nevertheless, a good skincare routine can also help with you having wonderful skin. There are so many products that are on the shelf and honestly, even I used to think that the more expensive the product, the better; however, that’s not necessarily the case. I’ve really been into Korean beauty. K-beauty is a surging market in the United States because Koreans have spent years doing the research on the best preventative skincare products. A lot of that research is resulting into new products that are coming out and existing products (that were not known in the U.S. market) that are being introduced to the United States.
AHC Skincare line is one of these products. It’s a skincare line out of Korea that has expanded to the United States in 2019. They have an Aqualuronic Range that is perfect for those who are seeking hydration for dry and tired skin. The line is a five-piece regimen (perfect for those of us who don’t want to be overwhelmed) and it’s infused with ingredients to give maximum moisture to your skin. It contains a combination of triple hyaluronic acid, French seawater and ceramides to give you fresh, glowing skin.
Triple Hyaluronic acid is known to retain moisture up to 1000x’s its weight (seriously!). Hyaluronic acid is a component your body naturally makes, but as you age, your skin produces less. If you are 30+ you should be looking for products containing this. Triple hyaluronic acid is special because it’s a triple-layer structure of hyaluronic acid and consists of three weights each with different benefits. The low molecular weights seep into the skin to deliver deep moisturization, the medium molecular weight plumps your skin cells and reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and the high molecular weights minimize water loss on the surface of your skin, preventing it from looking dry. The French seawater is from Noirmoutier Island and contains many beneficial minerals for your skin. Ceramides is a naturally occurring element in our body and AHC uses a mix to maximize moisture retention.
As your Style and Beauty Editor, I take product recommendations seriously. You can’t use something once and determine whether it works or not. I used this product for 3 months and I am 100% a fan. You can get the entire five piece regimen at Target for under $170.00. The products range from $19.99 for the facial cleanser up to $33.99 for the serum, so even if you can’t buy it all, you can pick one or two to add into your routine.
Keep reading, because I’ll be going through the line and giving you feedback on each item (and the order to use them in).
AHC Foam Cleanser
This cleanser feels like it’s deep cleansing my face to remove makeup and any excess skin impurities.
Source: Danielle James trying AHC Skincare Products / Courtesy of Danielle James
It is thick and has a nice lather on the face.
Source: Danielle James trying AHC Skincare Products / Courtesy of Danielle James
It feels extremely moisturizing and a little dot goes a long way. The above is all I used for my entire face. At $19.99 it’s a steal and if you can’t afford the entire line, this is one of my product recommendations.
AHC Toner
This toner ($26.99, target.com) feels very refreshing to my face and gently removes any excess dirt that the cleanser did not. While some people wash their face and follow up with the toner, I use the toner in the morning (and skip washing my face). I don’t want to strip my skin of any oils but want to make sure it’s clean and this toner does that. Of course, if I work out in the AM, I’ll wash my face with the cleanser.
Source: Danielle James trying AHC Skincare Products / Courtesy of Danielle James
Honestly, I feel the face wash does such a good job at cleansing my skin. You can see that there was very little dirt on my face after I washed it (please ignore my nails, I need a mani). After I use the toner, I use my jade roller, because it helps prepare my pores to receive the yummy skin products that will be going on top of it and I think it helps the products absorb better.
AHC Emulsion
I didn’t even know what I needed this for, but emulsions ($26.99, target.com) help prepare your skin to better accept your serums that you place on your skin. This is also moisturizes your skin, but should not be used as a substitute for your actual moisturizer.
Source: Danielle James trying AHC Skincare Products / Courtesy of Danielle James
This probably is the most amount of product that I have to use in the line. I use the above for half my face and then another pump for the other half of my face.
Source: Danielle James trying AHC Skincare Products / Courtesy of Danielle James
I instantly notice a hydration boost on my skin when I pat this product in. I placed a before and after so you can see, but honestly, the pictures don’t do the product justice.
AHC Serum
This is probably one of my favorite serums ($33.99, target.com), ever. From the moment I put it on my face, it instantly looks more hydrated. Serums are very important for your skincare routine. Think of it as a dense shot of nutrients for your face. I’ve used many serums with hyaluronic acid (and several that are more expensive than this one), but I find this one to be the best. Again, if you aren’t thinking of purchasing the whole system, even though this is the most “expensive” product in the line, it’s worth it!
AHC Essential Real Eye Cream For Face
Now, this is the star product ($28.99, target.com) in the line and really put AHC on the map. For years, a Korean actress used eye cream, which is known for its rich texture and potent ingredients all over their face to help maintain a youthful appearance. Eye cream can be quite expensive, so AHC created this magical concentrated formula to help with anti-aging, hydration and brightening benefits of AHC’s Korean eye cream, but it’s a lighter formula and a more affordable price point. I use this as my moisturizer to lock in the serum. Application is important with all of these items, so I place a small amount on my ring finger (it’s the weakest finger), spread lightly around the eyes and face and then pat gently until it’s absorbed. You want to pat products into your face for better absorption versus just rubbing it in.
AHC Cream
While you can stop at the Real Eye Cream for Face, I add this additional cream ($31.99, target.com) at night for an extra moisture step. I find it to be too much during the day; however, on very cold or windy days, I definitely add this last step to my morning skincare routine. This cream has a gel texture that gently locks onto skin to form a tight moisture seal to complete the skincare routine. If you live in a warmer climate, throw this into the fridge for a cool, refreshing application.
Beauties, I highly recommend this skincare range and if you can’t afford the range, invest in the facial cleanser, the serum, and the real eye cream for face. Your skin will thank you! How are you taking care of your skin in the Winter months? Share with us in the comment section.
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